Dockside gambling paying off big in Illinois

Tuesday, July 11, 2000 | 9:49 a.m.

Every casino boat in Illinois has seen a big increase in crowds in the last year, according to figures complied by state officials. The biggest winner is Jumer's Casino in Rock Island. The number of visitors jumped 86 percent in one year. The Grand Victoria in Elgin also has seen its visitor count rise by 57 percent.

Bigger crowds have meant more money for both the casinos and the state. Casino revenues have risen from about $1.1 billion in the year before dockside gambling began to about $1.5 billion in the 11 months since the Legislature stopped requiring gambling boats to leave the dock before gaming tables could open. Casino visitors also can gamble 24 hours a day.

Tax money has climbed from $240 million in 1999 to an estimated $330 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

But as Illinois has gained, one neighboring state has lost money. In Indiana, most of the gambling boats near the Illinois state line have seen fewer patrons in the last year, state officials said. Trump Indiana in Gary is down 7 percent and Empress Casino in Hammond is down 4 percent. Only Harrah's new boat in East Chicago saw a boost in admissions. It is up 10 percent.

Indiana's boats still have cruising requirements for gambling.